Why These People Are Opening Their Pinterest-Worthy Homes To Strangers This Month

For the next three weekends, you can walk into these strangers’ homes, look around, appreciate art — and they’ll be totally cool with it. Nope, they aren’t selling their houses. These are unique pop-up art experiences happening all around the island in six homes, as part of this year’s Oh! Open House programme.

If you’re not clued in, Oh! Open House organises various art experiences annually. Last year’s Emerald Hill art walks, where residents in quaint shophouses in the 'hood welcomed guests, were a resounding success.

This year, organisers are taking experiential art to six homes all across the island (the location is a secret until you’ve purchased a ticket at $20 per person). Titled Passport, this year's edition centers on themes such as identity, home, and belonging. Curators have paired up six hosts, who will house the art experience and artworks that they will co-create with six artists. Bear in mind both parties don’t know each other prior to this. Slots are limited to 10 to 20 people each session, which lasts between 45 mins to an hour.

TL;DR? It’s like going to a museum or an art gallery — but it’s a bit more of a hipster experience because it’s in someone’s home. Scroll on for a sneak peek at what to expect at each home, and which experiences you should zero in on.

1/11

1/11

The one for folks who love installations

Hosts Christophe (left) and Sharon (far right) work with artist Anthony Chin (middle) to push boundaries, exploring what flags, anthems and being part of a nation all means. This experience comprises two installations — one that takes audiences around the building looking for secret messages; the other is a theatrical piece inside within the apartment.

Inspired by their time living in various places around the world, artist Mike HJ Chang transforms the TV screen in hosts Liming and Chloe’s abode in this hip(ster) neighbourhood to a window to see the world via multiple channels and stories. The session ends with a discussion with the trio over teatime nibbles.

Inspired by hosts Hernie and Andre’s long-distance relationship (she works here, while he’s based in Bangkok), artist Ezzam turns their handwritten letters, penned over three months, into video and light installations in the house. The experience is accompanied by a Q&A sesh with the hosts and artists… and the host’s two feline fur-iends.

6/11

6/11

Ezzam Rahman × Hernie & André: Details

Where: EastWhen: Mar 16 at 5pm, 6.30pm and 8pm, Mar 17 at 5pm and 6.30pm, and Mar 30 at 5pm, 6.30pm and 8pm

7/11

7/11

For eager-beavers who want to up their step count

Happening at multiple stops through the CBD, artist ila and host Xiou Ann hope to encourage audiences to explore familiar urban spaces in a new way. Participants will be split into smaller groups and tools will be provided.

8/11

8/11

ila x Xiou Ann: Details

Where: CentralWhen: Mar 16 and 17, at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm

9/11

9/11

The one for those who want to see the heartlands in a new light

This session is a little different in that it takes place in host Han Chung’s neighbourhood, rather than his flat — the Penang native currently lives in a rented room while he works in Singapore. He collabs with artist Jimmy Ong, who has lived in the US and now shuttles between here and his studio in Yogyakarta. Naturally, they bonded over “a sense of placelessness” and that translates into their art experience which takes place in public spaces around Han Chung’s home. It simulates an immigration process that determines one’s Singaporean identity.

10/11

10/11

Jimmy Ong x Han Chung: Details

Where: NorthWhen: Mar 16 and 17, at 11am, 2pm and 3.30pm

11/11

11/11

The one for hoarders who can’t seem to let things go

This workshop explores the value of objects and how it brings us back to certain memories and participants are required to bring along an item of sentimental value that they’re ready to let go of. This will be used in the activity by artist Nature Shankar, which will be accompanied by a tasting menu prepared by host Pei Ying and her husband Ganesh and their flatmates Lisa and Ryan.